Sharon Wray's Blog, page 37
July 21, 2023
Prep & Plan: Summer First Aid Kit
Last week we discussed Summer Car Emergency Kits but today I wanted to delve deeper into the First Aid kit included in last week’s post. Below are two lists–the first is for what to include in your DIY First Aid Kit (and why I always start out with a basic premade kit) and the second is a list of life-saving first aid videos that are free on YouTube.
While it’s a lot of work to put together a decent first aid kit, if you ever end up in a true emergency–including a life or death situation–you’ll be so happy that you put in the time and money to build a your kit. The lists below are just a beginning so feel free to add anything else you may need for your personal situation. And next week we’ll discuss how to travel safely with pets–so I didn’t include any pet information in this post. Wherever you go this summer, I hope you have fun and get home safely!
DIY Summer Emergency First Aid KitPre-made first aid kit ~ I always start out with a premade kit because it comes with smaller packages of gauzes and tapes that I can’t find on my own. They usually also come with a varied collection of band-aids and other bandages. Below is what the American Red Cross suggests you find in a premade kit–or add the missing items yourself. Everything after these first 20 items are extra–but I consider them necessary to my own First Aid kit.2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)5 antiseptic wipe packets2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)1 blanket (space blanket)1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)1 instant cold compress2 pair of non-latex gloves (size: large)2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)Scissors1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)2 triangular bandagesTweezersFirst aid instruction bookletLiquid stitches ~ just in case you need to stop bleeding until you get to an ER.Water bottle for cleaning out wounds & for hydrationBenadryl (Diphenhydramine) ~ this over-the-counter medication is great for insects bites, hives, and other allergic reactions. I purchase the tablets since they are easier to pack, but if you have children make sure you have the proper form (chewable or liquid) for their age. EpiPen ~ if you have members who have severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. You’ll need a prescription and always keep one for my son in the first aid kit in case we need it on the road. Numbing spray like Bactine Antibacterial creamCalendula cream or Aloe to help ease sunburnsPrescription medication ~ Always keep extra RX meds with you as well as an extra prescription if your doctor allows it.Ibuprofen and Tylenol ~ if you have kids, make sure you have the correct formulation for their age and weight.Dramamine or other nausea medicationSunscreen (at least 30+ SPF)~ this includes SPF lip balm and ChapStickBug spray that contains at least 30% DEET. Afrin nasal spray for nosebleedsHydrocortisone ointment ~ for any kind of itchies like insect bites or poison ivy, etc.Flashlight/headlamp ~ you never know when you need administer first aid and it may be dark out.Baby wipes ~ perfect for cleaning scrapes and hands and wiping things down when you don’t have water.ChapStick ~ a great way to ease chapped/sunburned lips. Clean towels ~ carry a few clean towels to help keep your first aid tools clean. Can also be used to help add pressure to a bleeding wound. I like the microfiber towels because they absorb a lot and can be squeezed into a small bag. Feminine hygiene supplies ~ can also be used for feeding wounds. They are small but can absorb a lot of blood.Premade finger splint ~ because you never know when you might hurt your finger when changing a tire.Alcohol wipes ~ to sterilize all of your tools and even skin.ACE bandage ~ for sprains, strains, for for holding bandages in place on bigger wounds or holding splints on fractures. Small scissors – for all your cutting needs. Fingernail clippers – for smaller cutting needs.A bottle of Gatorade ~ essential for dehydration and hypoglycemia.Ziploc bags of various sizes ~ to carry knocked-out teeth, pulled-out ticks, or used bandages. Tweezers & small magnifying glass ~ for splinters, ticks, and other small needs. A small First Aid book or chart to help you remember how to do things like wrap a sprained ankle or make a tourniquet.A nice canvas bag to hold all of your equipmentFavorite First Aid Videos0102Life Saving First Aid – Major Bleeds
03Life Saving First Aid – Unresponsive Victim
040506
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Prep & Plan: Summer Road Trips
We’re deep into Summer and that means it’s time for some road trips! But just like when I travel by car in the winter, I always prepare the car before I hit the road for Summer travel. A few months ago it snowed in Virginia and a terrible accident closed Interstate 95 in Northern Virginia (below Washington, DC). The road was shut down for over 20 hours. While the news mentioned that people were stuck in their cars for hours, and that many ran out of gas, they didn’t really delve into the disaster–and almost tragedy–that was occurring during those hours when the temperature dropped to 11 degrees F.
Why am I discussing winter storms? Because the same rules apply when traveling during the summer. A blizzard could just as easily be a hurricane or a series of fast-moving tornadoes. You just never know when an accident or the weather will shut down a highway and leave you stranded for hours. I ended up in a terrible winter situation once where I was stranding in a blizzard on a highway overnight. After that event, I promised myself I would never be left without food and water ever again. But weather and accidents aren’t the only things that can go wrong. A sick child or a broken-down vehicle can land you in a dangerous situation. So below I’ve made two lists. The first are maintenance items you may want to consider. The second is a Summer Emergency Car Kit that will give you the tools, should you need them, to get yourself out of trouble or at least off the road to safety.
Summer Car MaintenanceCheck tire pressureCheck the brakesCheck the AC and top off refrigerant if necessaryTest the batteryTop of oil, windshield wiper cleaner, and other fluidsCheck and replace wipers, if necessaryCheck belts and hosesCheck and replace filters, if necessaryPlan ahead if you need to service your car since many car repair shops need a few weeks to order parts and get the work done, especially with all of the supply chain and labor shortages.Clean the car, inside and out, since it’s so much nicer to travel in a clean car.Summer Emergency Car KitCash. I always take a ton of cash with me. During this recent emergency, by the time people got off the highway the closest gas stations were limiting gas and only accepting cash. Caffeine pills ~ These are available in any drug store, but if you’re alone in an emergency they help you stay awake. Depending on how cold it is, and if you have to turn off your car to save gas, you could freeze to death if you fall asleep and don’t keep moving.)A case of bottled water Granola bars/protein bars/other non-sugary snacks. Also cheese sticks, pudding cups, and mandarin oranges work well.Ibuprofen and acetaminophen HeadlampsFlashlight Swiss Army knife or something similarLifestraw to filter water you are unsure about drinkingUV purifying water bottle and/or water purifying pills High quality First Aid Kit along with a pair of scissors (if not included)Paper maps for your location in case you lose cell service or run out of battery powerCell phone battery block with multiple USB slots and a small LED light, as well as the cords to hook up small electronics. This way you don’t need to run the car engine to charge you phone. Fully charge the block before you hit the road.Make a connection bag that holds the different types of cords you need for your electronics. Emergency weather radio with AM stations. Or a CB radio, if you preferA package of tissues to use as toilet paperConsider compact urinals (males and female) in case you need to use the bathroom but can’t leave the car. (I really wish I’d had one of these during my emergency. You can order them from Amazon, Walmart, or any camping supply store and they come in different sizes and models.)Extra medications ~ Bring extra if there’s a med you need to take daily. Especially things like insulin, etc. Identity documents in a plastic, waterproof bag. While I also have these on a thumb drive, you won’t be able to access them in an emergency from your car. (We will discuss this in the next two weeks of this series). These documents include Driver’s licenses, car registration and insurance information, medical cards for emergencies as well as anything else you might need quickly like prescription refill forms, etc. Don’t forget any licenses for weapons you have in the car.Sun protection ~ Sunscreen and a hat in case you have to walk off the highway.Solar kit ~ I travel with a 25W solar panel with two USB outlets.Fire making kit ~ A small torch light and a regular lighter. Storm proof matches are nice if you know how to use them. Add a few small candles.Extra glasses ~ If you can’t see without glasses (for reading or driving), bring an extra pair. Same thing if you wear contacts. Duct tape and paracord ~ My husband was in the army and we always have these two things in the car. And we’ve used both of them in emergencies. Work gloves ~ to change tires, collect wood, etc. Lightweight blanket in case you have to sleep in your car.Lightweight raincoat or poncho and an umbrella.Small took kit with pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, hose clamps, zip ties, and anything else you can think of.Tire sealant and gaugeJumper CablesBug SprayPlastic trash bagsWalking shoes in case you need to walk for miles to get off a closed highway.Visibility equipment like flares or glow-in-the dark roadsigns to mark your disabled vehicle.A few other things to consider:Gas. It’s dangerous to drive around with gas cans in your car. But if you end up in a traffic jam for hours, like the winter Virginia I95 debacle, you’ll need to turn off your car to conserve gas. One thing that helps is never letting your gas tank go below half full. But that also means you’ll need to stop more frequently to get gas, which can be a pain when you’re on a long haul trip. It’s just something to keep in mind. One of the biggest issues when a road reopens is that the lanes are littered with cars that have no gas which makes getting out a more difficult and dangerous proposition.
Personal Protection: This can be a controversial subject. But if you carry a licensed weapon with you, make sure you know the legal requirements in each state you pass through. Some states/cities/localities ban tasers, pepper spray, knives as well as guns. So whatever you have with you, make sure you know the rules for every state you pass through. And, if you have a license for your weapon, keep it with you.
Long, long, long haul car trips: The list above is for a trip that may normally take up to 12 hours. But if you are traveling cross country, you may want to consider packing camping gear, a small fire stove, extra food/MREs, etc. Here is a great article about planning long haul driving trips across different terrain.
Balance: When you are traveling long distances, with many people, and maybe staying someplace for many days, weight and space become a concern. So you’ll have to balance what you need at your destination versus what you need on your trip (or might need). That’s a personal decision you’ll have to figure out on your own after considering your situation such as distance, age of car, number and ages of passengers, etc. But if the goal is to get someplace safely, you may want to consider the above lists. Even just having a First Aid kit and some water will mean the difference between life and death. I am not being hyperbolic, just realistic.
Finally, information is your friend. When you plan out your trip, check the weather as well as the routes. Depending on where you’re driving, you may want to double check the crime rates of areas you’re driving through. Also, you could make a list of high-quality hotels along the route, as well as the locations of hospitals, ERs, police stations, etc. And write down any other critical information you may need if you don’t have access to the internet, due to a national or weather emergency.
Although this is a long list of things to consider, the goal of traveling (hopefully) is to have fun. The great thing about a Summer Emergency Car Kit is that once you build it, you don’t have to do much to maintain it. And switching things out for different seasons (like taking out bug spray and adding mittens) is easy.
I hope you find this list helpful and not stressful. The point it to get prepared and then forget about it because you’ll know that no matter what craziness happens, you and your family will survive. And maybe you’ll be in a position to help others as well.
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Regency Libraries: Which Came First–The Books or the Libraries?
Although it’s an interesting question, the simple answer is books. But since the English Regency was one of the more interesting times in history, it’s no surprise that something as simple as books and libraries became more complicated. Up until the late 18th century, book authors and playwrights were sponsored by private patronage, such as Shakespeare and Marlowe who wrote for Queen Elizabeth. But when the government decided everyone should be able to read the bible, literacy rates for all classes soared.
As newspapers became popular, the publication of Robinson Crusoe in 1719 created a new type of entertainment called the “novel”. Unfortunately, during the 18th and early 19th centuries, the demand for new things to read–both newspaper periodical essays and mass-market novels–outpaced the economies of scale for the publishing houses. The cost of printing and buying books was too expensive for the average person in spite of the growing demand. It would take years before the processes of making paper, ink, and binding books would become cheap enough for all to afford.
Although the British Government supported circulating libraries, when the Regency dawned, public libraries couldn’t keep up with the growing demand. So the publishing houses came up with a brilliant idea. They funded their own subscription libraries filled with books written by their own authors. A subscriber would join a library for a small fee and would be able to borrow and return books at their own pace. These private libraries became quite popular and appeared throughout England.
While this worked well for the middle and lower classes, the success of these subscription libraries also increased the the demand for independent writers. Since authors no longer wrote for sponsors, but for their readers, they were free to write what they wanted. If a book didn’t “sell”, i.e. lend well, the authors switched genres and wrote something else. As long as the authors wrote and subscribers subscribed, the publishers were happy. There was one downside–many people (the Aristocracy) thought that books for the “masses” were of lower quality and catered to base emotions. If one were to read, one should read to improve oneself, not entertain oneself. So it’s no surprise that those who had the means began their own collections. They could either spend the money or share books with those of a lower station.
But what about the Aristocracy? Despite the huge reading rooms seen in many of our favorite Jane Austen movies, fully stocked libraries were still an expensive luxury during the Regency. Many of the volumes filling the shelves were acquired during Grand Tours of Europe. But with outrageous taxes on papers, and travel to and from the continent disrupted by wars with France, some have even wondered if the early libraries of the great county manors were filled-in with fake books which were slowly replaced as books became more widely available and less expensive. Without proof, we can only surmise.
In 1859 the English government passed the Public Libraries Act. This law replaced most of the private subscription libraries with public libraries. But experts have speculated that without the promotion and access provided by the publishers during the Regency, many of our favorite classics, including Miss Jane’s, would never have made it into print. And the library in the Dashing Duchesses Manor House? I can assure you there are no fakes. Although, if you look hard enough, you may find a few contemporaries tucked between our beloved Austens and Brontes.
Because I am a librarian, I’ve included a few links of interesting articles for further reading:
Subscription Libraries and the rise of Popular Fiction
Anonymous Signatures: Circulating Libraries, Conventionality, and the Production of Gothic Romances
Libraries in Georgian and Regency England
The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts
The post Regency Libraries: Which Came First–The Books or the Libraries? first appeared on Sharon Wray.
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February 19, 2023
It’s Time for a King Cake!
In a few days, we’ll be celebrating Mardi Gras again! Every year it feels like time is speeding up, and that makes me more desperate than ever to slow time down so I can make sure I’m enjoying every minute.
I’ve been lucky enough to spend a lot of time in New Orleans, the de facto center of Mardi Gras in North America. And it’s not a coincidence that the third book in my Amazon bestselling Deadly Force series, IN SEARCH OF TRUTH, takes place partially in New Orleans, including a sexy scene in a romantic hidden-away restaurant, a hunt through the French Quarter, and a chase through Lafayette Cemetery #1. But besides crazy partying down in New Orleans, what is Mardi Gras? In French, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday.” Technically, Mardi Gras is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the day before the Christian season of Lent begins. Mardi Gras Day always falls 46 days before Easter which means it can occur on any Tuesday from February 3rd to March 9th. Mardi Gras Day is also a transition day, dividing Church time between the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the Easter season. And this year, Mardi Gras is Tuesday, February 21.
I know today is Sunday, but the King Cake recipe below takes time to rise and bake and I wanted to give you enough time to make it!
To add to the confusion, Mardi Gras isn’t just a day. It’s a season that begins on January 6th, also known as Twelfth Night since it’s the twelfth night after Christmas. January 6th is also the Epiphany, the night that Jesus showed himself to the three wise men. While many people eat King Cake only on Mardi Gras Day, others start eating King Cake on January 6th, to celebrate the Epiphany, and eat it through the entire season.
Rumors say that the King Cake tradition appeared in New Orleans, a traditionally Catholic city, in 1870. It’s an oval-shaped cake that tastes more like a French pastry filled with cinnamon and pecans. Some people add in dried fruit like raisins or currants, and the oval shape represents the unity of faiths. The cake is decorated with a white frosting and three different colors of sprinkles. These three colors are known as the Royal Colors: Purple signifies Justice. Green signifies Faith. Gold signifies Power.
These colors represent the colors in a royal jeweled crown honoring the Three Wise Men who came to the Christ Child on Epiphany. To symbolize this event, a small plastic baby (or a piece of orange or a walnut) is baked into the King Cake. Although you want to make sure it’s not so small it could be swallowed or too large to break teeth. When the King Cake is served, everyone looks to see if they received the baby. The one who does is named “King” for a day. That King is then required to host next year’s party and provide the King Cake.
Whether you eat your King Cake all winter long, or just on Mardi Gras Day, you need to prepare ahead of time if you want to make your own. As a yeast bread, you need time to proof the yeast and let the dough rise–multiple times. Even if you don’t celebrate these holidays, it’s worth the time and effort to make this French delicacy. And when you serve it with your favorite hot coffee, you can laissez les bon temps rouler!
Sharon Wray
Yields 2 King Cakes
Serves 24 (12 servings per cake)
The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Mardi Gras King CakeThis cake looks hard and tedious to make, but as long as your yeast works properly it's really not hard to make. Most of the 4 1/2 hours is spent waiting for the dough to rise. If it happens to be really cold in the house when you're making this, (because it's the middle of winter) turn the oven on low while you make the dough. When it comes time to let the dough rise the first time, turn off the oven and place the baking sheets in the warm oven. And if you don't want to add a plastic baby, you can use a small walnut or a piece of orange or even a quarter that's been well washed. Serve it with coffee and you'll never eat stale bagels again!
4 hr, 30 Prep Time
4 hr, 30 Total Time
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CAKE1 cup whole milk1/4 cup butter, room temperature2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F)1/2 cup white sugar (separate out 1 Tablespoon to proof yeast)2 eggs, lightly beaten1 1/2 teaspoons salt1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg5 1/2 cups all-purpose flourFILLING1 cup packed brown sugar1 tablespoon ground cinnamon2/3 cup pecans, chopped1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup melted butterFROSTING1 cup confectioners' sugar1-2 Tablespoons cold watergreen sprinklespurple sprinklesyellow sprinkles2 plastic babies for good luck!Instructions
CAKEOn low heat in a small saucepan, scald the milk.Remove from heat and stir in the butter.Allow mixture to cool to room temperature.In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water. Add 1 Tablespoon of the white sugar. Let stand until creamy, 8-10 minutes. If yeast mixture doesn't bubble and look creamy, toss it and start again.When yeast mixture is bubbling, gently whisk in the cooled milk mixture. Whisk in the eggs. Stir in the remaining white sugar, salt and nutmeg.With an electric mixer, slowly beat the flour into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time.When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.Lightly oil a large, room temperature bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.After 2 hours, punch the dough down and divide in half.Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.FILLINGIn a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans, and flour.Pour the melted butter over the cinnamon mixture and mix with a fork until crumbly.On a lightly-floured surface, roll dough halves out into large rectangles (approximately 10x16 inches).Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough rectangles. Beginning with the wide side, roll up each half tightly.Transfer the dough rolls to the two baking sheets.Bring the ends of each roll together to form oval shaped rings.With a sharp knife, make cuts 1/3 of the way through the rings at 1 inch intervals.Let the dough ovals rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees.Push the plastic babies into the cakes and back for 30 minutes.FROSTINGWhile baking, blend confectioners' sugar and the water in a small bowl.Once the cakes come out of the oven, and while they're still warm, drizzle the frosting over top of the cakes. Decorate with the green, purple, and yellow sprinkles. Nutrition Calories 277 cal Fat 9 g Carbs 43 g Protein 5 g Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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The post It’s Time for a King Cake! appeared first on Sharon Wray.
February 14, 2023
Wedding Tails is Live!
I am so excited for today’s new release! Wedding Tails: A Limited Romance Anthology is a true labor of love. When some of my Sourcebooks sisters asked me to join this collection of romance novellas based on our bestselling Sourcebooks series, I said yes! This anthology includes stories that take place in our series world with some of our favorite heroes, heroines, and secondary characters. And, since it’s Valentine’s Day, each story had to include a beloved pet from each series as well as a wedding. Because we’re an eclectic bunch of authors, there are romances for each type of reader including cowboy stories, westerns, small town contemporaries, and romantic suspense novellas.
My story in this collection, Searching for Ever After, takes place a week after In Search of Truth (book 3 in the Deadly Force series) ends. Here is the blurb:
Can she find the courage to defeat her enemies and win everlasting love?
Allison Pinckney, a widow who’d finally found true love with the man she thought she’d lost forever, doesn’t like change. And getting married four months earlier than expected, due to threats from her husband’s greatest enemy, has left her an anxious bride. While she’s excited to begin her new life with Zack, she’s nervous about joining his dark and secretive world.
Zack Tremaine, a former Green Beret under attack from a vengeful arms dealer, would do anything to protect those he loves, including the men in his disgraced A-Team and his future bride. Since Zack isn’t clear on why he and his men are being targeted, or when the next attack will happen, he asked Allison to move up the wedding. Instead of having a four month engagement, they’ll have one week. He knows his fiancée is nervous, especially considering he has more than one enemy lurking in the shadows, but marrying her is the best way to protect her.
Except no one expects their enemies to attack the night before the wedding—or that a young child and Allison’s beloved dog will disappear. Now Allison must find the courage to face her fears—and defeat her enemies—before time runs out and her wedding day turns to woe.
So treat yourself this Valentine’s Day… this limited edition boxset is available from all vendors in e-book and paperback formats.
What happens when…
… a reluctant cowboy agrees to get set up at a wedding, but then he and his dog fall for the wrong bridesmaid? (Save the Date for a Cowboy)
… a negative post about a major league baseball player’s relationship with the publicity-shy girl of his dreams goes viral, can he still convince her to walk down the aisle? (Two Weddings and a Husky)
… a sworn bachelor rescues a pretty girl on the way to a wedding but falls for the woman of his dreams at the reception? (Wedding Bells in Magnolia Bay)
… a cowboy finds out the woman he’s always dreamed of wants him–and his dog–but he knows he’s the last thing in the world she needs? (Rescuing the Groomsman)
… a dog-loving wedding planner must enlist the aid of a sworn-against-pets groomsman to save their friends’ wedding? (Fur-ever Yours)
… the only person who can help the best man train the world’s laziest dog to walk down the aisle is the girl who got away…and the girl he’d do anything to win back? (The Very Best Man)
… star-crossed lovers can’t find the flower girl and her ring-bearer dog who’ve disappeared on a remote Georgia sea island hours before their long-awaited wedding? (Searching for Ever After)
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February 1, 2023
Release Day for Mrs. Right!
I can’t believe it’s already February 1st. I have no idea where January went, and I am still cleaning up from Christmas. But regardless of how NOT ready I am, I have a new release today! Mrs. Right, A Limited Romance Anthology, is now available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited (KU). Because I love writing in the Kingsmill Courtships Contemporary Romance world, I wrote a sequel to One October Night and Home for the Honeymoon for the Mrs. Right Anthology. Follow Clara and Jacob Mosby in the small-town romance, Her Midnight Valentine, as they navigate their first Valentine’s Day and receive a miracle that will last a life time.
USA Today and award-winning authors have written this anthology just in time for Valentine’s Day.Read about your favorite romantic comedy couples as they celebrate their first Valentine’s day as husband and wife.
Our favorite heroes and heroines are still in the honeymoon phase and have no doubts that their partner is their one and only. Except all relationships experience bumps along the way toward a long life spent together–especially when holidays and families and unspoken expectations are involved.
So while it snows outside, snuggle on the couch with a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate and binge-read these fun Valentine’s Day stories. This anthology is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, and believe in happily ever afters.
Order Mrs. Right Here!
Her Midnight ValentineSome Valentine’s Day miracles cause more trouble than oth ers…
Newly-married Jacob Mosby has a Valentine’s Day surprise for his wife. Unfortunately, the residents of his tiny-and-often-annoying hometown of Kingsmill, VA have their own idea of how the newlyweds should spend the day… and the night.
Now Jacob has to finish building his wife’s present in time for the town’s dreaded Valentine’s Dinner Basket Auction–the infamous annual event that always ends in disaster.
When Clara’s daughter signs her up to run the Dinner Basket Auction–less than forty-eight hours before it begins–Clara must put aside her romantic expectations of her first Valentine’s Day with her new husband.
Instead of buying lingerie and making a chocolate fondue, Clara has to deal with women who refuse to cook, men who think she’s auctioning bachelors instead of baskets, and teenagers who have a secret plan of their own. It doesn’t help that Clara has been sick for weeks, and her husband keeps disappearing.
Yet, once the auction begins, Valentine’s Day magic takes over. Happy couples are paired, past hurts are forgiven, and the teenagers learn a valuable lesson. And when Clara gives up her expectations of others, and herself, she receives a Valentine’s Day miracle of her own. A miracle to last a lifetime.
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January 17, 2023
Searching for Ever After
I have been in my writing cave working on more and more manuscripts, but I’m taking a break today to share the cover of one of my two February releases. Wedding Tails is a project I’ve undertaken with some of my Sourcebooks sisters, and it started when we all wondered what would happen if we each wrote a novella based in our story worlds (mine is the Deadly Force world) where there was a wedding and a dog and many of our favorite characters. And it would be released on Valentine’s Day!
Since book 3 in my Deadly Force series, In Search of Truth, has a dog named Nicholas Trott and ends with the engagement of Zack and Allison, I knew I had to write their wedding story. I also need them to be married in the next book in the series, A Promise at Midnight (Alex and Maddie’s story). (Oh, the problems of authors writing a long-standing series!) So I wrote Searching for Ever After, a story where Zack and Allison get married but not before all sorts of things happen to try and and stop them. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there will be troubles as well as laughs, and maybe a run-in with men who bow.
So today I’m sharing the cover as well as the preorder link for Wedding Tails. The book will release on Valentine’s Day, in both paperback and e-book. I hope you love the cover–and the stories–as much as we do!
From USA Today and award-winning authors come seven wedding tales featuring characters from your favorite Sourcebooks’ series that prove all you need is love…and a dog.
What happens when…
… a reluctant cowboy agrees to get set up at a wedding, but then he and his dog fall for the wrong bridesmaid? (Save the Date for a Cowboy)
… a negative post about a major league baseball player’s relationship with the publicity-shy girl of his dreams goes viral, can he still convince her to walk down the aisle? (Two Weddings and a Husky)
… a sworn bachelor rescues a pretty girl on the way to a wedding but falls for the woman of his dreams at the reception? (Wedding Bells in Magnolia Bay)
… a cowboy finds out the woman he’s always dreamed of wants him-and his dog-but he knows he’s the last thing in the world she needs? (Rescuing the Groomsman)
… a dog-loving wedding planner must enlist the aid of a sworn-against-pets groomsman to save their friends’ wedding? (Fur-ever Yours)
… the only person who can help the best man train the world’s laziest dog to walk down the aisle is the girl who got away…and the girl he’d do anything to win back? (The Very Best Man)
… star-crossed lovers can’t find the flower girl and her ring-bearer dog who’ve disappeared on a remote Georgia sea island hours before their long-awaited wedding? (Searching for Ever After)
Return to the worlds of:
Creedence Horse Rescue (Jennie Marts)
Rescue Me (Debbie Burns)
Magnolia Bay (Babette de Jongh)
Big Chance Dog Rescue (Teri Anne Stanley)
Fur Haven Dog Park (Mara Wells)
I Hate You More (Lucy Gilmore)
Deadly Force (Sharon Wray)
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January 6, 2023
Happy (Belated) Public Domain Day!
I’m still on a blogging hiatus until my current WIPs are completed and turned in to my agents and editors, but I wanted to pop in here celebrate the creative works that are joining the Public Domain in 2023. And this year’s collection include masterpieces as such The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Men Without Women by Ernest Hemingway, and Irving Berlin’s Puttin’ on the Ritz. Other authors include Agatha Christie, A.A. Milne, and Marcel Proust.
What is Public Domain Day? Every year, on January 1st, the U.S. Copyright Office announces the creative works whose copyrights have expired. Copyrights are determined by individual countries, so you need to check your own country’s rules and regulations regarding copyrighted works. Unfortunately, there will be no new works entering the public domain in Canada as they retroactively extended copyrights from life of the author plus 50 years years to life of the author plus 70 years. So it’ll be another 20 years before we see more works enter Canada’s public domain. Also, this year, no sound recordings will be release in the U.S. The good news is that a bunch will be released in 2024.
Why is the public domain important? Because it means that the works listed below no longer have anyone that holds a copyright to them. So any person can broadcast, consumer, or reimagine these works without having to pay anyone royalties. Public Domain books are free to use, watch, and consume and can be easily distributed. So happy reading, listening and watching!
Complete Lists of Copyright Reversions for 2023:Works by people who died in 1952, for countries with a copyright term of “life plus 70 years” (e.g. UK, Russia, most of EU and South America)Works by people who died in 1972, for countries with a term of “life plus 50 years” (e.g. New Zealand, and most of Africa and Asia)Films and books (incl. artworks featured) published in 1927 for the United States.2023 Public Domain Highlights:
Books
:
To the Lighthouse
, by Virginia Woolf
Men Without Women,
by Ernest Hemingway
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes,
by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Big Four,
by Agatha Christie
Now We Are Six,
by A.A. Milne
Amerika
, by Franz Kafka
Le Temps retrouvé,
by Marcel Proust
The Bridge of San Luis Rey,
by Thornton Wilder
Music
:
The Best Things in Life Are Free,
by George Gard De Sylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson; from the musical “Good News”
Puttin’ on the Ritz,
by Irving Berlin
(I Scream You Scream, We All Scream for) Ice Cream,
by Howard Johnson, Billy Moll, Robert A. King
Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man”; “Ol’ Man River,
by Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern; from the musical “Show Boat”
Potato Head Blues, Gully Low Blues,
by Louis Armstrong
S’ Wonderful,
by George and Ira Gershwin; from the musical “Funny Face”
Films:
Metropolis,
by Fritz Lang
The Jazz Singer,
by Alan Crosland
Wings,
by William A. Wellman
The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog,
by Alfred Hitchcock
The King of Kings,
by Cecil B. Demille
Upstream,
by John Ford
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December 31, 2022
Happy New Year, 2023!
I hope you have a fun and safe New Year’s Eve and a wonderful 2023. To celebrate, here is one of my favorite poems about what it truly means to release the old year and look forward to the new. I hope you enjoy it!
This poem is in the Public Domain.In Memoriam, [Ring out, wild bells]Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
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December 25, 2022
Merry Christmas!
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May your day be filled with happiness, love, and peace. And lots and lots of books!
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